SHOES!
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I will praise Dansko until the day my feet fall off! I have two knock-off dansko's that I got on ebay really cheap, and I see why. The ones in my avitar are Dansko and I got them on sale for $90 instead of $130 and they are worth every single dime!

Depends on your feet really. I have high insteps and also a scar on my right arch. As a result I can't wear shoes with arch support, and I have to be able to adjust them for my instep. So it's really individual. For example I was already limping in the store when I tried on a pair of Danskos, and I couldn't even get my foot into a pair of Alegrias. Not the shoes for me. I always liked Merrils but they don't make the model I wore in white smooth leather anymore. I have also worn sketchers, rockers and new balance, which are okay.

Some time ago, we had an inservice at work on footwear and alignment, etc. We were told that one of the biggest mistakes nurses tend to make with shoes isn't choosing the wrong pair but wearing them for too long (that is, wearing the same shoes even after they have worn out). Even the best shoes will start wearing out from the heavy use on concrete floors and should be replaced every couple of years. So I've always replaced my shoes relatively regularly. I find that even cheap ones are usually perfectly serviceable with that approach.

For nursing school, I used the Scrubzone Energize shoes. They were cheap (under $25), skid resistant (that was a HUGE plus in the shower room at clinicals) and water proof. They're comfy and easy to clean. They are made similar to crocs, but with no holes. Pair them with some moisture wicking sox and my feet felt great! I saw the same shoes in Scrubs & Beyond, but they were a little cheaper online. Several of my classmates had the same shoes.

Now that I'm working, I just bought my first pair of Dansko's & they are wonderful! ($71)